The seven-member school board unanimously approved a resolution declaring a state of emergency for the district. The move is largely a formality to grant Superintendent Carole Smith the authority to spend money on strike preparation, including hiring replacement teachers.

The first teachers strike in Portland Public Schools history may hit Oregon's largest school district next week, after union members voted overwhelmingly to authorize a walkout. The strike is set to begin on Feb. 20 if a deal is not reached before then.

Wednesday's declaration of a "state of emergency" served as yet another reminder of how quickly the walkout date is approaching. Portland Public Schools officials are already outlining plans to collect district property from teachers next Wednesday, and educators are packing up their rooms.

With the resolution, Smith will be required to report the spending to the board once a strike is over.

Board members expressed disappointment at the vote, with Bobbie Regan calling it “inconceivable” that the district was facing the strike as it prepares to rebound from years of cuts.

“It makes no sense for our kids and our community,” she said.

Regan, who has been critical of the teachers union’s contract offer, said that educators’ workloads will likely only get better as state funding begins to improve. The teachers union has blasted the board for refusing to commit to hiring about 176 teachers to reduce class size and workload.

“It’s really quite sad, honestly," said Davidson, a Grant High School senior.

Board member Steve Buel, who is backed by the teachers union, assured community members that the night’s resolution will simply allow the district to prepare for a strike. He noted he was not in favor of keeping all the schools open during a strike.

“This is just merely a resolution that if we go forward and there’s a strike, that the superintendent can do what she needs to do to keep kids safe,” he said.

Board co-chairman Greg Belisle echoed comments from Smith, who said that both sides are working for an agreement -- but that the district must continue preparing for a strike at the same time.

“I just want to let folks know we are pursuing both tracks with due diligence and commitment,” said Belisle.

District officials and board members have taken steps to show they are not eager to let teachers strike: the board has not voted to force teachers to work under a contract, and the district's outside legal counsel filed a complaint to block a strike by accusing the teachers union of an illegal walkout.

Superintendent Carole Smith, who had little news on any progress within the negotiations, said both sides are working hard to reach a negotiated agreement. The two sides plan on meeting without a state mediator tomorrow.

Union leaders have also expressed they are eager to reach a deal. Portland Association of Teachers president Gwen Sullivan today said she was "encouraged" by recent news of additional property tax revenue that could boost funding for PPS.

"I don't think the board at this point has any excuse about the money," she said. "I just think that we don't have a lot of time to avert a strike and we can do that."